Nick Denklau, a prominent citizen of Eldridge, Iowa, now living retired,
was born in Germany on the 10th of May, 1852, and is a son of Jacob
Denklau, who was a brick mason by trade and spent his entire life in the
fatherland. Our subject was reared and educated in the land of his birth and in
1871 came to the United States, landing at New York. His destination, however,
was Scott county, Iowa, and he came at once for several years.

In December, 1877, Mr. Denklau was in marriage to Mrs. Amelia (Diedrick)
Klindt, a native of Germany and the widow of Peter Klindt, a native of Germany
and the widow of Peter Klindt. She was the owner of a farm of one hundred and
twenty acres in Lincoln township, this county, and upon this property they began
their domestic life, continuing to reside there for twenty-five years, when Mr.
Denklau retired from active farming and removed to Eldridge, where he now makes
his home. Having prospered in his undertakings he was able to add forty acres to
the home farm, making a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Lincoln
township, and in 1894 he purchased a farm of two hundred and thirty-five acres
in Sheridan township, to the cultivation and improvement of which he devoted his
energies until he retired from active life. Besides his farm land he also owns
town property in Eldridge.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Denklau were born six children, namely: Gust, a farmer
of Sheridan township, who married Amanda Stoltenberg; Emma, who is now the wife
of Herman Miller, living on the old homestead in Lincoln township; Meta, the
wife of Rudolph Amhof, of Lincoln township; and Tillie, Laura and Adolph, at
home. By her former marriage Mrs. Denklau had three children: Louis; Minnie, now
Mrs. Stoltenberg; and Wilhelm. All are residents of this county. The family is
widely and favorably known and Mr. and Mrs. Denklau havea host of warm friends.

Christian G. Dueser, deceased, was for some years a prominent merchant of
Davenport. His early home, however, was on the other side of the Atlantic, for
he was born in Germany and was there reared and attended school. He received an
excellent education in his native land and also continued his studies after
coming to this country. On reaching America he came direct to Iowa and
established his home in Davenport, becoming identified with the business
interests of the city as a merchant.

In early manhood Mr. Dueser married Miss Matilda Ficke, a daughter of
Senator C. A. Ficke, who was one of the leading lawyers and prominent citizens
of Davenport. Two children were born of this union, namely: Dr. F. H. Dueser,
who married Eliza Lorenzen; and Elizabeth, who is now the wife of F. J. Lane and
has one child, Frederick S.

In his social affiliations Mr. Dueser was an Odd Fellow. Starting out in
life with no capital, his success was due entirely to his own unaided efforts
and he may well be classed among the self-made men who did much for the
promotion of Davenport’s interests.

One of Davenport’s younger business men is C. Ray Kindt, manager of the
Princess theatre. He was born in Milwaukee, January 10, 1888, and is the son of
Charles T. and Nellie (Stoddard) Kindt. His father is a very prominent theatre
manager, who has charge of fifty-one houses in Iowa and Illinois. His principal
Davenport interest is the management of the Burtis theatre. He came originally
from Sandusky, Ohio, and he and his familyhave made this city their home for nearly twenty years. The grandfather,
Louis Kindt, was born in Germany of French parentage and came to America when
about fourteen years of age.

It was during a brief residence of his parents in Milwaukee that the
subject of the sketch was born, and while he was still an infant they came to
Davenport where they have ever since resided. Mr. Kindt attended the common
schools and in due time was enrolled among the students of the high school. He
then entered the University of Chicago and took a course in electrical
engineering. He subsequently returned to Davenport and his father assisted him
in securing a foothold in the world of affairs, a thing he was well able to do
for he is one of the principal theatre managers of the west. Mr. Klindt
inaugurated the Princess theatre a few months ago and it is already taking its
place among the successful amusement houses in the city, the greater part of his
time and energy being devoted to its management. He belongs to the Greek letter
society, Lambda Sigma Delta, which he joined when in college.

O. F. Matteson needs no
introduction to the citizens of Davenport and Scott county. As a man and
official he is widely known and his record as deputy United States marshal is
one which has gained for him wide commendation. A native son of Iowa, he was
born in Marshall county, in the year 1871, his parents being Orlando and Mary (Karman)
Matteson. The father was a farmer by occupation, following that pursuit until
after the outbreak of the Civil war, when he put aside all business and personal
considerations in order to protect the interests of the country on the field of
battle. He became a member of Company E. Sixteenth Iowa Infantry, and saw four
years’ service, during which time he was captured and incarcerated in
Andersonville prison. The Matteson family came from the east in the vicinity of
New York city. The ancestry of the Karman family is traced back to Bavaria,
Germany, a representative of the name arriving in Scott county, Iowa in 1850.

Owing to the death of his parents,
O. F. Matteson was educated in the Soldiers Orphans Home where he remained for
about six years. He then went to Muscatine, Iowa, where he supplemented his
previous education by thorough study in the public schools. Reading, experience
and observation have also added to his knowledge and he has eagerly availed
himself of every opportunity for advancement in educational lines. After leaving
school he took a trip to the west where he was employed in various ways until he
began learning the carpenter’s trade. He followed that pursuit up to the time
of his retirement from the industrial field, his attention being now devoted to
his official duties.

It was on the 21st of
June, 1893, that Mr. Matteson was united in marriage to Miss Mary L. Beyer, a
daughter of Gerhart and Louise (Heike) Beyer, who were of German and Holland
lineage respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Matteson have become the parents of seven
children: Orlando w., Evelyn, Alice A., Raymond H., Teddy T., George Christian
and Hellena. Mr. Matteson and his family occupy an attractive home on Harrison
street near Duck creek and he has in addition to his residence an acre of fine
land.

Retired from business life, he is
giving his attention to official duties, filling the office of deputy united
States marshal for the southern district of Iowa with headquarters at Davenport.
He was one of the prime movers in securing the establishment of the United
States federal court at Davenport ad because of his work in that connection the
endorsed him for the position of deputy United States marshal, believing him to
be well qualified for the office. He is familiarly known among the federal
employes through the east and west as “Pink”—a name suggested by the
efficiency of the Pinkerton men and given to him in recognition of the fact that
he is an untiring scout when on the trail of criminals, never giving up until he
has placed his man behind the bars. He was one of those who at Council Bluffs
took part in the prosecution of the famous Mowbray gang of notorious swindlers,
fourteen of the fifteen being convicted and receiving penitentiary sentences,
most of them being now in Leavenworth. Unfaltering in the performance of his
duty, his name has become a menace to evil-doers, and brings a sense of security
to all who hold themselves amenable to law.

No history of Scott county would be complete without the mention of the
life work of Dr. Jennie McCowen, of Davenport, who is without doubt one of the
foremost women of the state of Iowa and one of its most active and efficient
physicians. A taste for medical pursuits has been conspicuous in her family for
generations back. Dr. John McCowen, her father, was himself a well known
practitioner in southern Ohio in earlier days. Her only immediate relatives now
surviving are two sisters, Mrs. E. E. Janney, of Kansas, and Miss Mary McCowen,
the latter for yours supervisor of the public schools for the deaf in Chicago,
now head of the department for the training of teachers for the deaf of the
Chicago Normal School.

Dr. McCowen’s inclination towards medicine showed itself at a very
early age. Suddenly thrown upon her own resources at the age of sixteen, she
began to teach in order to earn the money to finish her education. She taught
and studied alternately, taking a course at the Ohio Normal School and excelling
as a teacher, though never losing sight of her intention to become a physician.
Twelve years thus elapsed and in 1872 she withdrew from school work and began
her professional studies at the State University of Iowa, having become a
resident of this state in 1864. She graduated with honors in 1876, taking a
prize for her thesis. Immediately upon graduation, she accepted a position on
the medical staff of the State Hospital for the Insane at Mt. Pleasant, and for
three years did good service for the unfortunate girls and women who came under
her care. Her interest was thus directed to nervous and mental diseases, and in
the same field of labor she has since directed her energies with results that
have placed her prominently in the front rank of the profession in Iowa.

In 1880 Dr. McCowen located in Davenport, and was made secretary of the
Scott County Medical Society, was reelected in 1881 and again in 1882. In 1883
she was elected president of the society, in 1884 was reelected: became a member
of the State Medical Society, of the Iowa and Illinois District, and of the
American Medical Association. In 1884 she was one of a committee from the State
Medical Society to memorialize the legislature in behalf of better provision for
the insane, and in 1886 was one of the medical examiners of the University,
chosen by the State Medical Society.

In 1885 Dr. McCowen was elected to membership in the New York
Medico-Legal Society, which with a membership of over four hundred of the most
eminent lawyers, physicians and scientists, had at that time admitted but two
women, both physicians. She was made vice president in 1888, was made one of the
vice presidents of the International Congress of Medical jurisprudence which met
in New York in 1889, and was reelected at the session in Chicago in connection
with the World’s Fair, and again at the time of the fair in St. Louis. In 1906
she was elected one of the delegates to represent the Medico-Legal Society in
the International Medical congress in Lisbon, Portugal, and on request prepared
a paper on “The Effect of Rest and Recreation on Mental health,” which was
read in the section on hygiene.

Dr. McCowen was for many years connected with the Davenport Academy of
Sciences in an official capacity, as secretary, as librarian, elected president
in 1889, reelected in 1890, and for a number of years thereafter was a member of
the board of trustees and later of the publication committee. She also held
membership in the American Association for the Advancement of Science, in the
National Science club, and in 1889 was made a fellow of the Society of Science,
Letters and Arts, London. At the World’s Congress on Geology held in Chicago
during the specimens from the Davenport Academy of Sciences, and at the meeting
of the National Science Club the next day she spoke on “The Relation of the
Academy of Science to the Community.” It was during her presidency of the
Davenport Academy of Sciences that its work in connection with the public
schools was begun by Curator Pratt.

Dr. McCowen’s best efforts have always been given to the betterment of
humanity. In 1882 she was commissioned by the governor to represent the state in
the National Conference of Charities and Corrections, which she did from year to
year thereafter. For ten years she served as secretary for the state in the
National Conference of Charities and Corrections, was one of the executive
committee which organized a State Conference of Charities and Corrections in
Iowa, and has been from its organization an active member. In 1908 she was
elected president and was reelected in 1909. She was for many years one of the
directors of the National Children’s Home Society and one of the editors of
its magazine.

Dr. McCowen has devoted much of her time to the study of preventive work
in social science, and for years quietly demonstrated its value in various
organizations with which she was connected, notably the Lend-A-Hand Club of
working girls, in which, in return for benefits received, each girl pledges
herself to lend a hand to some other girl or woman less fortunately
circumstanced than herself. This club, now in its twenty-third year, occupies a
three-story building in the business district of the city and maintains various
helpful agencies for women, on a financial budget of about fourteen thousand
dollars a year.

Dr. McCowen was one of the organizers of the Order of The King’s
Daughters of Iowa, Circle Number One in Davenport being the first in the state.
She was the first county secretary from 1892 to 1894, resigning because the
practice ofher profession made it
impossible for her to give the work the time and attention which its success
demanded. She was for several years a member of the state executive board and in
1907 was elected a member of the central council of the International Order with
headquarters in New York. She was the founder of the Mary Lowe Dickenson Chapter
of King’s Daughters for “work among invalids,” an organization capable of
widespread and effective activity along preventive lines. She was for years
chairman of the social purity and later of the health and heredity committee in
the State King’s Daughters work, lecturing throughout the state on subjects
relating to social purity, health and heredity. Her services along these lines
have been invaluable, her efforts for the good of the order unremitting.

As a representative woman Dr. McCowen’s standing was recognized in
different directions during the World’s Fair in Chicago. She attended the
Congress on Woman’s Progress and spoke in the Memorial Art Building on
“Progress in Child-Saving Work;” in the Congress of Social and Moral Reform
on “The Prevention of Impurity among Children.” She was one of the executive
committee of the International Congress of Medical Jurisprudence, and spoke on
the “Postal Rights of the Insane.” Among the distinguished women who spoke
at the congress in the Woman’s Building, her name appeared on the October
program, subject “The Child Problem of Today.” Not the least of her services
to women was, however, her work on the jury of awards in the medical, sanitary
and philanthropic exhibits on which she was appointed by the board of lady
managers, she being one of the fifty-seven women appointed on the jury of
awards. Her appointment owed nothing to politics or “influence” and was
entirely unexpected to herself, but her thorough and conscientious work won the
approval of her fellow jurors and exhibitors, even among the foreigners of the
other sex, who at first bitterly opposed women on the juries, and the board of
lady managers were completely justified in the wisdom of their choice.

She was invited by the Ministerial Association of Davenport to read to
them a paper which she had prepared and read before the Moral Education Society
in Cedar Rapids, and the Association, feeling that their people should have the
benefit of the information contained in this paper, invited her to fill their
pulpits at one of their Sunday services, a special committee making arrangements
as to churches and time. This was followed by requests from various clubs and
organizations in the city and over the state, until she had given the gist of
this paper on social purity and heredity fifty-seven times to as many different
audiences.

As a member of the Association for the Advancement of Women, its Iowa
director and afterwards vice president, she was largely instrumental in paving
the way for the Woman’s Congress which gave such impetus to all kinds of
literary and philanthropic activity among the women of Iowa and finally led to
the organization of what is now known as the Federation of Women’s Clubs. She
has given hearty and intelligent support to all efforts in her own city and
state, as well as elsewhere, to improve the conditions of life and make them
bear less heavily upon the over burdened.

Another prominent characteristic of Dr. McCowen’s nature—her love of
literature and literary pursuits—was inherited from her mother, who was a
woman of high intellectual attainments. Her thoroughly altruistic spirit
inclined her to study and write mainly upon themes that, though they do not
command a popular audience, are in the direction of being helpful to humanity,
yet so quietly and unostentatiously did she pursue this line of her work for
many years that few know of the extent or value of her literary productions. In
a biographical sketch of Dr. McCowen, appearing in the “Physicians and
Surgeons of America,” she was credited at that time with having written on
over forty different subjects, partly contributions on medical topics, published
in various medical journals, others in the domain of science proper, others
ethical and sociological, in periodicals and newspapers. For several years she
sustained a column on “Preventive Medicine” in the Sundaymorning issue of the Davenport Gazette, a weekly column on “Hygiene”
in the Woman’s Tribune published in Chicago, and a column entitled
“Woman’s Work” in the Davenport Times. From 1885 to 1890 she was the
associate editor of the Iowa State Medical Reporter, from 1895 to 1908 was
associate editor in charge of the department of state medicine in the Woman’s
Medical Journal published in Cleveland, Ohio.

It is, however, in her chosen profession that Dr. McCowen has done her
best work and won her chief laurels, her brethren in the profession according
her the most hearty and cordial recognition. She has been an active member of
local and state medical societies, was elected vice president of the State
Medical Society, the only woman to be so honored in this state, was one of the
founders of the State Society of Medical Women, was president in 1893 and again
in 1894, ad has been chairman of its council since its organization. She was one
of the directors of the Iowa Association for the Study and Prevention of
Tuberculosis, member of the national Association of Tuberculosis, was member of
the International Congress which met in New York in 1889, in Chicago in 1893, in
St. Louis in 1904 and in Washington and was invited by that body to read a paper
before the section on mental and nervous diseases. As a member of the American
Medical Association she was appointed by the central committee of the public
health education movements in the state outside of the medical profession. She
is on the staff of the local hospitals in Davenport, and chairman of the
training school committee at St. Luke’s Hospital.

Personally, Dr. McCowen is one of the most modest and unassuming of
women, genial and generous, tactful and witty. Endowed with deep human
affections and swift sympathies, her influence is always helpful and broadening
to those who are privileged to enjoy her friendship, and her sterling qualities
make her life an inspiration to those whose lives she touches.

If the prosperity of the city be measured by the enterprise of some of
its more important manufacturing concerns Davenport owes no little of its
reputation as being the home of successful business men to Ferdinand Haak, who
is president ofone of the largest
cigar factories west of the Mississippi. The enviable position he holds has been
entirely the work of his own hands and brain, being a patent example of
industry, economy and wise foresight. He was born in 1845 at Elmshorn, about
four miles from Hamburg, Germany, a son of Carsten and Lesette (Oldendorf) Haak.
The father brought his family to America in 1857 and selected Scott county,
Iowa, as a place of residence. He bought considerable land here and farmed with
profit until his death, which occurred in 1888.

Ferdinand Haak was about twelve years of age when his family came to the
United States. He had attended the schools of his native land and after he came
to Scott county was enrolled as a pupil in the public schools of Davenport. For
a number of years he worked upon the home farm and then decided to start in life
for himself as a cigarmaker. He served an apprenticeship for about four years,
in that time becoming a most efficient workman, and then secured a position as
foreman in a factory, but although he enjoyed the confidence of his employers he
was not satisfied for he was ambitious to make a name for himself. Accordingly,
in 1870, he opened a factory of his own, and although he began business in a
small way, through concentration of his powers, business acumen and
determination to succeed he has built it up so that now it is one of the largest
in the west. He has won from it a most gratifying income.

In 1867 Mr. Haak was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Kohrdt, and of
their union have been born seven children: Minnie, now the wife of Charles
Meyer, Pauline, who became the wife of Gene Gruenewald, and has one child; John,
who is in business with his father, and is married and has three children, John,
Ferdinand and Minna; Richard, who is also in business with his father, and has
two daughters, Irma and Elsie; Edna and Elsie, who are living at home; and
Theekla, who is the wife of Frank Hetzl, of Sioux City, Iowa. Mr. Haak belong to
the Turners and is one of the directors of the Iowa National Bank. Shortly after
his arrival in this county he enlisted in Company B, Eighth Iowa Infantry, but
saw only one year’s service on the field of battle. It, however, was
sufficient to attach him closely to the government, so that he is an interested
spectator of all national interests. His home is at 824 West Vine street, where
he and his wife extend a gracious hospitality to all guests.

The strong characteristics of the German race, industry, frugality and
perseverance, are conspicuous in the life history of Claus J. B. Hansen, a
farmer of Winfield township. He was born in Detmarchen, Germany, August 3, 1864,
and is a son of Peter and Margaretta Hansen. The father was a laborer in the old
country, but after Claus Hansen had come to America, he and another of is sons
came here and for many years he was actively engaged in farming in Scott county,
Iowa.

Claus J. B. Hansen attended the public schools of Germany in his boyhood,
thereby obtaining a fair education in his native tongue, and when he put aside
his text-books he worked by the month as a farm hand. Stories of the
opportunities that awaited the ambitious and industrious young man in America
had reached him, however, and by 1881 he could o longer resist the call of the
new world, so he joined a party of friends and embarked upon the voyage to the
United States. He landed at New York, April 6, 1881, and coming direct to Scott
county, Iowa, reached Davenport April 9.

Although he could not speak English Mr. Hansen lost no time in securing
employment, but the day after his arrival, at 3 p. m., he started to work as a
farm hand near Donahue. He was employed at that kind of labor for six years, at
the end of which time he joined his father and brother Fred, who had come to the
county and had rented land on the banks of the Wapsipinicon. They remained at
that location for five years and then removed to a farm near Eldridge, which
they also rented and on which they lived for four years. Another change was then
made to a place near Donahue, where Claus Hansen lived for two years, or until
he was married, when he engaged in farming for himself. For one year he lived ona rented farm near Donahue and then for two years lived on another place
in the same locality, after which , as the result of his well directed economy,
he bought the land on which he now lives from Bartley Schwackle. It is a tract
of eighty-four and twenty-seven hundredth acres, which Mr. Hansen has greatly
improved, tilling the fields, erecting new buildings and in other ways making it
thoroughly modern and in keeping with the progressive spirit of the times. He
carries on general farming, in which he has met with success, for he brings to
his work intense energy intelligently directed.

William Sheridan Collins came to Scott county, Iowa, from New York in
August, 1838. He was born February 15, 1806, at Litchfield, Connecticut, a son
of David and Jerusha (Wright) Collins. David Collins became a merchant of New
York and at one time a member of congress. In 1826 William S. Collins went from
Connecticut to Albany, New York, where he learned and followed the carpenter’s
trade. He was married there in 1831 to Miss Orphia Jackson and unto them were
born two children, Miles A. and Orphia L. The latter became the wife of Newton
J. Field and had one son Newton Miles Field, who was killed in a railway
accident.

Orphia Jackson, the first wife of William S. Collins died in 1836 and Mr.
Collins was influenced to come to Iowa by the fact that his brother Lucius
Collins was a farmer of this state, living near the Summit.

Orphia Jackson, the first wife of William S. Collins died in 1836 and Mr.
Collins was influenced to come to Iowa by the fact that his brother Lucius
Collins was a farmer of this state, living near the Summit. William S. Collins
was a contractor and carpenter in Davenport and erected a large number of
business blocks, including the former McManus building at Second and Main
streets, the Perry and McIntosh blocks, the old Baptist church at Sixth and
Main, and the brick residence at Fifth and Rock Island streets. A number of the
structures which show forth his handiwork are still standing. He became
recognized as one of the leading contractors and builders of this part of the
state and did much in promoting the substantial improvements of this district.
In 1842 he married Eliza Dillion, and they had three children, of whom two died
in infancy, while the other, Chester Worthington Collins is a banker of
Brooklyn, New York. The mother, who was born in the Empire state in 1823, passed
away in 1846. For his third wife Mr. Collins chose Mrs. Eleanor Bird, who was
born in New York city in 1815 and was the widow of William Bird. There were two
children of this marriage namely: Sarah Ella, now the widow of Watson Graham,
who died in Davenport; and McManus W., of Denver, Colorado. The third wife of
William S. Collins has also passed away.

William S. Collins was one of the charter members of the Edwards
Congregational church and took an active part in the organization of the first
Sunday school. His political allegiance was given to the whig party until its
dissolution, when he joined the ranks of the new republican party. He served as
alderman of Davenport from the third ward from 1846 to 1849, and from the fifth
ward in 1859. He also was trustee of the poor. He was a very earnest and zealous
worker in the organization known as the Sons of Temperance for twenty years, and
from 1848 until his death on August 9, 1887, he was an exemplary representative
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

One of Scott county’s pioneer farmers was Miles Augustus Collins, who
lead an industrious life in the live stock business. Mr. Collins was born in
Albany, New York, September 1, 1832. When but four years old his father, David
Collins, upon a farm at Blanford, Massachusetts, and was there reared, early
becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the
agriculturist. Following his grandfather’s death he took charge of the home
farm at Blanford, Massachusetts, there remaining until 1854, when he sought a
home in the middle west and came to Scott county, Iowa, where he worked at the
carpenter’s trade with his father for a year. He then engaged in farming. He
also established one of the first cheese factories in Scott county. His life was
a busy and useful one. At different times he owned several farms in Scott county
and was quite successful in his dealings in real estate. In 1860 he purchased
the farm just north of town upon which he spent his remaining days, is death
there occurring June 5, 1908. He was diligent and enterprising, making good use
of his opportunities, and as time passed on he won a creditable measure of
prosperity.

It was on the 15th of June, 1870, that Mr. Collins was united
marriage to Mrs. Amy George Wilson, the widow of George Wilson and Nancy (Reed)
George. William George was native of, and formerly lived in Columbiana county,
Ohio, whence he removed with his family in 1853 to Scott county and settled near
Big Rock, Iowa.

Mr. and Mrs. Collins became the parents of six children: Mina Rusha, who
is now a teacher of English in the high school at St. Louis, Missouri; Vera
Elva, who is the wife of Fred A. Garrison, field secretary of the Young Men’s
Christian Association for Arkansas and Oklahoma; Eleanor Harriet, at home; Miles
William; Amy George, the wife of William C. Rowse, a professor of engineering in
the State University at Madison, Wisconsin; and Ruth Elizabeth, who is a pupil
in the Grinnell Iowa College. All of the children are graduates of that college,
and Miles is a graduate of the University of Chicago law department, having
received the degree of Doctor of Laws. Mina was also a student of the University
of Chicago, where she pursued post-graduate work in English.

Detlef Petersen, the owner of a well improved and valuable farm of one
hundred and sixty acres in Sheridan township, is numbered among the worthy
pioneer settlers of Scott county, having made his home within its borders for
more than a half century. His birth occurred in Holstein, Germany, on the 19th
of September, 1834, his parents being Henry and Margaret Petersen. The father
passed away in that country but the mother later took up her abode in the United
States and spent her remaining days in this country.

Detlef Petersen spent the first twenty-three years of his life in the
land of his nativity and in 1857 crossed the Atlantic to the United States,
wishing to test the truth of the many favorable reports which he had heard
concerning the advantages of the new world. After landing in New York he made
favorable reports which he had heard concerning the advantages of the new world.
After landing in New York he made his way direct to Davenport, Scott county,
Iowa, having friends here. He first worked in this county a farm laborer but
later rented land and about 1870 had accumulated sufficient capital to enable
him to purchase a farm of his own, coming into possession of eighty acres of his
present home place in Sheridan township. He has erected all of the buildings and
made all of the improvements which are now seen upon the property and likewise
planted the trees, of which he has many fine specimens. The one tree which was
on the property when he first located thereon is still standing. Wishing to
extend the boundaries of his farm, he bought an adjoining tract of eighty acres,
so that his holdings now embrace one hundred and sixty acres of rich and arable
land. His labors as an agriculturist are capably conducted and the fields
annually yield golden harvests in return for the care which he bestows upon
them.

Mr. Petersen has been twice married. In 1862 he wedded Miss Louise
Harman, who passed away twenty years later. Their children were five in number,
namely: Henry and William, both of whom are at home; Elizabeth, the wife of Carl
Koch, of Eldridge, Iowa; and Laura and Emma, who are also at home. On the 27th
of June, 1886, Mr. Petersen was again married, his second union being with Miss
Hannah Johnson, by whom he has one child, Walborg, at home.

At the polls Mr. Petersen casts his ballot in support of the men and
measures of the democratic party and has capably served his fellow townsmen as a
school director and also of road supervisor. He has never had occasion to regret
his determination to come to America, for in this country he has found the
opportunities which he sought and through their utilization has worked his way
upward, his life indicating what may be accomplished by determination and well
directed energy. He has now passed the seventy-fifth milestone on life’s
journey and receives the respect and veneration which should always be accorded
one who has traveled thus far on this earthly pilgrimage and whose career has
ever been upright and honorable.